Poetry | Page 56 | The Common

December 2017 Poetry Feature

December 29, 2017 Poetry, Translation

Three poems by ALBERTO de LACERDA, Transnational Spirit
Translations and introduction by SCOTT LAUGHLIN

“This is what I live for: friendship and the things of the spirit.” Alberto de Lacerda often repeated this refrain to his friends. Friendship meant kinship, connection, and community. The things of the spirit were poetry, literature, art, dance—the myriad expressions of the spiritual and transcendent Alberto sought, and lived by, his whole life.

Such values perhaps couldn’t lead to anything but an intercontinental life.

November 2017 Poetry Feature

November 24, 2017 Poetry

Repair Manuals: A Brief Interview with Sebastian Matthews

VIEVEE FRANCIS interviews SEBASTIAN MATTHEWS

From April 2017 to July 2017, poet, writer, collagist, and teacher Sebastian Matthews and I carried on a long-running conversation, which you will find excerpted below. It is high time to hear from this provocative and engaging poet who, after surviving a head-on collision with his wife and son in the car with him, went into relative literary and social seclusion for several years. While the newest book discloses the private life of trauma and the body, forthcoming projects concern Matthews’ public takes on race, culture, and identity. Always stretching to disclose what others would keep hidden is part of what makes his widening body of work both engaging and authentic.

In the Natural World

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Poetry

By LAWRENCE RAAB

Animals dream, but of what we do not know.
They wake quickly, even when accustomed
to safety. Maybe some think back,

maybe others regret. But what about guilt?
Does it play a part in their kingdom?
Or is it only our burden? In one night

New Wave: Post Op

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Poetry

By MARIA TERRONE

Such an adrenaline rush to find
myself alive
this seventh time, injected
with glee on the stretcher,
making my usual “I’m o.k.” calls,

The Old City

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Poetry

By NAUSHEEN EUSUF

Here are the steps leading down to the lake
choked with water hyacinths crowding
out the lilies, and algae thick as serum.

Loss and Its Antonym

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Podcasts & Audio, Poetry, Poetry Recordings

By: ALISON PRINE

The opposite of losing you
was watching you across the purple light
of the dance floor in the local gay bar
while the salt trucks dragged through the streets.

Fayum Portrait

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Poetry

by JAMES HOCH

[Field Manual]

Sunday, there she goes again, toddling
out the door, off the back deck, tumbling

in her church dress, a field of hand-
painted green stems and yellow flowers,

On My Problems

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Poetry

By LOREN GOODMAN

I’m the kind of guy who when there’s a problem, I like to get on it. I don’t like the problem to get me, I like to get it. When there’s a problem, I face it—I don’t let it faze me. You could say I like to faze it. I like to face my problems and take care of them, I don’t let them take care of me.

Waiting on Results

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Poetry

By NICHOLAS FRIEDMAN

In a dark, wood-paneled studio, I’ve sat
for three full days, an eremite with neither
cup nor cause. As hours accumulate,

Corey

November 5, 2017 Issue 14, Issue 14 Poetry, Poetry

By MIK AWAKE

Became a skinhead
a year after he moved from
Bumblefucktucky.
Hit me with his cast.
Hurt people hurt people
often with their hurt parts.
Who broke his arm?
His step-dad step on him?
They was poor, but they was white.